EC chief, Polish PM talk rule of law: report

A European Commission spokesperson confirmed on Friday that Juncker and Morawiecki had spoken, adding that they discussed issues on the European Union's agenda, PAP said.

The commission has had concerns about the rule of law in Poland since the Law and Justice (PiS) party which came to power in 2015 made sweeping changes to the country's justice system.

At the end of last year, the European Commission took the unprecedented step of triggering Article 7 of the EU Treaty against Poland, stepping up pressure on Warsaw over the controversial changes.

On Monday, Polish Deputy Foreign Minister Konrad Szymański told private broadcaster Radio Plus that changes to the controversial Polish court reforms have led to "far more constructive" talks between Warsaw and Brussels.

Also on Monday, however, European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans said that he remains critical of Poland's reforms.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Jacek Czaputowicz rejected suggestions made by some Polish media outlets the bloc would put pressure on Poland by reducing the country's access to European Union funds.

The European Commission is next week expected to present its budget for 2021-2027.

Though no official information has been released, some Polish media outlets have said that Poland would get tens of billions of euros less than previously, because funding would go to countries with a high unemployment rate, rather than to countries with a lower GDP per capita.

"I want to say clearly … the system which exists … has worked, and thanks to it Poland is growing strongly," Czaputowicz said.

He added that the European Commission would need the bloc's members to agree to any changes. (vb)

Source: PAP